DJ Maphorisa Bounces Back After A Turbulent Week In The Spotlight

• Record producer DJ Maphorisa seems to have put a dramatic week in the music world behind him.
• Phori found himself at the center of a social media storm after Samthing Soweto wasn’t credited on a song.
• Social media erupted when Madumane posted a clip of himself performing in front of a massive crowd.

It’s been quite the rollercoaster for DJ Maphorisa this past week, but the man who wears so many hats in the music industry appears to be rising above it all. If his latest post is any indication, he’s not just surviving—he’s thriving. Despite facing criticism from all sides, Maphorisa seems to have emerged stronger and more focused than ever.

The record producer was thrust into the spotlight when he became the center of a highly publicized controversy. Critics labeled him an Amapiano gatekeeper, accusing him of controlling who gets opportunities in the genre. The backlash intensified after Samthing Soweto’s name was left off the credits for the newly released Amalanga Awafani.

How DJ Maphorisa Turned the Page

Now, DJ Maphorisa has been carrying the "Amapiano gatekeeper" label for some time, but the recent uproar over Samthing Soweto’s exclusion on the track Amalanga Awafani brought the issue to a boiling point. Samthing later posted a broken heart emoji alongside the cover art that Mas Musiq shared, which only fueled the fire.

Read also:

A Heartwarming Gesture That Made The Internet Melt

The track, featuring Samthing Soweto’s vocals alongside Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy, TO StarQuality, and DJ Maphorisa himself, sparked a heated debate. Many fans felt it was exploitative, arguing that Maphorisa used Samthing’s talent without giving him proper credit. Calls for the track to be removed from digital streaming platforms grew louder, and some even demanded that the record producer face consequences.

Not long after, a visibly upset Phori took to Instagram Live, expressing his emotions in a raw and emotional outburst. He even shed tears during the live session, showing just how much the criticism had affected him. But life moves fast, and just a few days later, Maphorisa posted a clip from a packed concert, captioning it with a simple but powerful message: "Bounced back."

The 87-second video showcased Maphorisa performing Manzi Nte, his hit single with Tyler ICU and featuring various artists. In the clip, Kabza De Small can be seen behind the decks, while another artist joins Maphorisa on stage to perform the iconic Manzi Nte dance. The energy in the room was electric, and it was clear that the crowd was fully engaged and loving every moment.

South Africa’s Reaction: Mixed but Mostly Positive

The video quickly racked up around 120,000 views within just three hours and garnered over 3,300 likes. As with any viral content, the responses were polarizing. Let’s take a look at what some people had to say:

@bhekezinhle commented:

"Social media ain’t a real place. People love you."

@I_Know_Ball4K chimed in:

Read also:

A Dads Heartfelt Reaction To His Daughters Stunning Barbie Cake

"One thing about South Africans is they only bark on social media. They never bite."

@AMG_Owner added:

"Bro, they only hate you on Twitter. TF is this crowd? Ehhhh."

Kabza De Small and MaWhoo: A Heartwarming Moment

In other news, Kabza De Small was caught on camera sharing a heartwarming moment with musician MaWhoo. The two seemed genuinely happy, and if you weren’t aware of their shared musical history, you might have thought there was something more going on between them. Their chemistry was undeniable, and fans couldn’t help but notice. It’s moments like these that remind us why we love music—it brings people together in ways words often can’t.

As the Amapiano scene continues to evolve, it’s clear that the drama and the joy go hand in hand. DJ Maphorisa’s recent performance is proof that no matter what challenges come your way, talent, resilience, and the love of your fans can help you bounce back stronger than ever.